Power slider window assembly

ABSTRACT

A vehicular sliding window assembly of the present invention includes first and second spaced apart fixed window panes and a polymeric member provided on perimeter portions of the fixed window panes. The polymeric member forms a gasket and includes at least one guide track molded in the polymeric member. At least one sliding window pane is positioned in the guide track and is positionable between a closed position and at least one open position. The window assembly further includes a support rail, which supports the sliding window pane above a lower surface of the lower guide track whereby the weight of the sliding window pane is borne by the support rail and not the lower guide track to reduce the friction between the guide track and the sliding window pane to provide a smooth sliding action when the sliding window pane is moved along the guide track between its closed and open positions.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a window assembly and, moreparticularly, to a modular sliding window assembly for vehicles.

[0002] Sliding window assemblies are often used, for example, in a rearcab opening of a truck. Typically, such sliding window assembliesinclude a frame with one or more fixed panes and one or more slidingpanes which are either manually operated or operated usingelectromechanical systems.

[0003] The trend in vehicle windows is to form a pre-assembled modularwindow assembly which can be installed as a single component. Inaddition, more recently, modular window assemblies are preferably flushmounted, with the window assembly retained by studs or clips that aremolded or otherwise attached to the gasket. As a result, the gasket notonly provides a seal for the window assembly but now integrates thewindow pane or panes to form a structural self-contained, pre-assembledunit that is easier to handle during shipping and installation.

[0004] In sliding window assemblies, flush mounting has posed severalproblems. Because the electromechanical systems used to move the slidingwindow panes typically entail complicated drive arrangements and oftenrequire large motors to move the sliding panes, these arrangements addsignificant weight to the window assembly. Furthermore, these drivearrangements often consume a significant amount of space. Therefore, forthese and various other reasons, these various drive mechanisms have notheretofore been successfully integrated into flush-mounted modularwindow assemblies.

[0005] Another problem with some of the conventional sliding windowdesigns is that the weight of the sliding window panes createssignificant friction between the sliding panes and the tracks which areused to support the panes. This increases the power requirement for thedrive mechanism and, hence, the size of the motor. In addition, theincreased friction can result in binding or chattering of the slidingpanes which can damage the drive assembly.

[0006] Consequently, there is a need for a modular sliding windowassembly which can be flush mounted within a vehicle while incorporatinga drive mechanism that permits one or more sliding panes of the windowassembly to be selectively moved between open and closed positions. Inaddition, there is a need for a sliding modular window assembly whichprovides a smooth sliding action of the sliding window panes, whichreduces the power requirements of the drive mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, a vehicular sliding window assembly of the presentinvention provides a modular assembly which can be installed in avehicle, such as a rear cab opening, as a single unit. The windowassembly includes one or more sliding window panes which move betweenopen and closed positions. The sliding window panes are preferablydriven by a drive assembly which needs only a low power motor to movethe respective sliding window panes. At least a portion of the driveassembly is self-contained and supported in a support rail which ismounted to a polymeric member formed around perimeter portions of thefixed window panes. In this manner, the window assembly can bepre-assembled with the drive assembly prior to installation of thewindow assembly in the vehicle so that window assembly can be quicklyand easily mounted during the vehicle assembly process. Furthermore,since at least a portion of the drive assembly is self-contained andsupported in the support rail, the drive assembly can be post-attachedto the window assembly after the window assembly is installed in thevehicle, which permits retro-fitting of the drive assembly at thedealership.

[0008] In one form of the invention, a vehicular sliding window assemblyincludes first and second fixed window panes, which are spaced apart todefine an opening therebetween. The window assembly further includes atleast one guide track and at least one sliding window pane positioned inthe guide track. The sliding window pane is positionable along the guidetrack between an open position and a closed position wherein the slidingwindow pane closes the opening. A support rail supports the slidingwindow pane whereby the weight of the sliding window pane is borne bythe support rail and not by the guide track to thereby reduce thefriction between the sliding window pane and the guide track.

[0009] In one aspect, the sliding window pane includes a carrier. Thesupport rail supports the carrier thereby supporting the sliding windowpane. Preferably, the carrier is attached to the sliding window pane,such as by an adhesive. In further aspects, the support rail comprises achannel-shaped support rail having spaced flanges, with the carriersupported between the spaced flanges.

[0010] In another aspect, the sliding window assembly further includes adrive assembly. The drive assembly includes a cable system, with thecable system drivingly coupled to the sliding window pane. Preferably,at least a portion of the cable system is supported in the support rail.

[0011] In further aspects, the sliding window assembly includes a secondsliding window pane which is positioned in the guide track, with thefirst and second sliding window panes moving toward each other to closethe opening and away from each other to open the opening.

[0012] In another form of the invention, a vehicular sliding windowassembly includes first and second fixed window panes which are spacedapart to define an opening therebetween. The window assembly furtherincludes upper and lower guide tracks to provide guides for the firstand second sliding window panes. The sliding window panes arepositionable between a closed position wherein the sliding window panesare in an abutting relationship to thereby close the opening and aplurality of open positions wherein the sliding window panes are spacedapart. A drive assembly is drivingly coupled to the sliding window panesand selectively moves the sliding window panes along the guide tracksbetween the open and closed positions. A support rail supports at leasta portion of the drive assembly.

[0013] In one aspect, the support rail supports the first and secondsliding window panes above an upwardly facing surface of the lower guidetrack to reduce the friction between the sliding window panes and thelower guide track. In another aspect, the support rail supports thesliding window panes below a downwardly facing surface of the uppertrack and above the upwardly facing surface of the lower track to reducethe friction between the sliding window panes and the upper and lowertracks which results a smooth sliding action when the sliding windowpanes are moved along the upper and lower tracks.

[0014] In further aspects, each sliding window pane includes a carrier,with the support rail supporting the carrier to thereby support thesliding window panes.

[0015] In other aspects, the window assembly further includes apolymeric member, which contacts at least portions of the perimeter ofthe fixed window panes. Preferably, the support rail is mounted to thepolymeric member. In further aspects, the polymeric member includes asupport mount, with the support rail mounted to the support mount. Inone form, the support mount projects from the polymeric member. Inanother form, the support mount is fully encapsulated in the polymericmember.

[0016] According to another aspect, the drive assembly includes a cablesystem, with the cable system drivingly coupled to the sliding windowpanes. At least a portion of the cable system is supported in thesupport rail. In further aspects, the cable system includes at least onecable section, more preferably, a plurality of cable sections, and mostpreferably at least one cable guide and at least three cable sections.One of the cable sections is for drivingly coupling to a motor and cabledrum assembly and to the second sliding window pane. Another cablesection is drivingly coupled to the second sliding window pane andextends around the cable guide to drivingly couple to the first slidingwindow pane. A third section is for drivingly coupling to the motor andcable drum assembly and couples to the first sliding window pane suchthat when the motor and cable drum assembly pulls the first cablesection, the first cable section pulls the second sliding window pane toits closed position and the second cable section pulls the first slidingwindow pane to its closed position. When the motor and cable drumassembly pulls the third cable section, the third cable section pullsthe first sliding window pane to its open position and the second cablesection pulls the second sliding window pane to its open position.

[0017] According to yet another form of the invention, a vehicularsliding window assembly includes first and second spaced apart fixedwindow panes and a polymeric member, which contacts and spaces the fixedwindow panes to define an opening therebetween. The window assemblyfurther includes upper and lower guide tracks which are included in thepolymeric member. First and second sliding window panes are slidablypositioned in the upper and lower tracks and are positionable between aclosed position where the sliding window panes are in an abuttingrelationship thereby closing the opening and a plurality of openpositions where the sliding window panes are spaced apart. A supportrail, which supports the sliding window panes, is supported by thepolymeric member.

[0018] In one aspect, the polymeric member includes a supported mount.Preferably the support rail is supported by the support mount. Infurther aspects, the window assembly includes a drive assembly. Thedrive assembly is coupled to the sliding window panes and selectivelymoves the sliding window panes with respect to the support rail betweenat least their closed position and their open position and with at leasta portion of the drive assembly supported by the support rail.

[0019] In one aspect, each of the sliding window panes includes acarrier, which is supported by the support rail. In further aspects,each of the carriers includes an elongate body having a mounting flange,which mounts to a respective sliding window pane, and a support flangewhich is offset from the mounting flange. The support rail supports thesupport flange to thereby support the sliding window panes. Preferably,the support rail comprises a channel-shaped support rail having spacedflanges, with the support flange being supported between the spacedflanges. At least one of the spaced flanges includes a retaining lip,which laterally retains the support flange in the support rail.

[0020] In another aspect, the window assembly further includes at leastone seal positioned in either the upper or lower guide tracks. The sealseals the sliding window panes in the guide track. In preferred form,the window assembly includes seals in both guide tracks. For example,the seals may comprise a unitary seal having an upper portion positionedin the upper guide track and a lower portion positioned in the lowerguide track and intermediate seal portions positioned between thesliding window panes and the fixed window panes thereby providing aperimeter seal around the opening.

[0021] The present invention provides a modular sliding window assemblythat is preferably pre-assembled with a drive assembly thus facilitatinghandling and installation. In addition, the present invention provides asliding window assembly that reduces the friction between the slidingpanes and the guide tracks, resulting in reduced power requirements forthe drive assembly which lowers the cost and the weight of the assembly.

[0022] These and other objects, advantages, and features will becomemore apparent when the following description is read in light of thedrawings that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a vehicular slide windowassembly of the present invention illustrating a pair of sliding windowpanes in a closed position;

[0024]FIG. 1A is a similar view to FIG. 1 illustrating the slidingwindow panes in an open position;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the window assembly of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the slide windowassembly of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 3A is a cross-section taken along line IIIA-IIIA of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line IV-IV ofFIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 4A is an enlarged elevation view of the unitary seal of FIG.4;

[0030]FIG. 4B is a cross-section taken along line IVB-IVB of FIG. 4A;

[0031]FIG. 4C is a cross-section taken along line IVC-IVC of FIG. 4A;

[0032]FIG. 4D is a cross-section taken along line IVD-IVD of FIG. 4A;

[0033]FIG. 4E is a cross-section taken along line IVE-IVE of FIG. 4A;

[0034]FIG. 4F is a cross-section taken along line IVF-IVF of FIG. 4A;

[0035]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a window pane carrierillustrated in FIG. 3;

[0036]FIG. 5A is a cross-section view taken along line VA-VA of FIG. 5;

[0037]FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 5;

[0038]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 6;

[0039]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along lineVIII-VIII of FIG. 2;

[0040]FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the mountingarrangement of the support rail to the glass mount illustrated in FIG.6;

[0041]FIG. 10 is a similar view to FIG. 8 illustrating a secondembodiment of the mounting arrangement of the support rail;

[0042]FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevation view of a support rail and acable system of the drive assembly of the window assembly in FIG. 3;

[0043]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment ofthe slide window assembly of the present invention; and

[0044]FIG. 13 is an enlarged elevation view of the drive assembly of thewindow assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates amodular sliding window assembly of the present invention. Windowassembly 10 is particularly suited for mounting in a rear cab opening ofa truck to provide airflow through the cab and, furthermore, to provideaccess to the bed of the truck. Sliding window assembly 10 is preferablya pre-assembled, self-supporting modular unit which optionally andpreferably includes a pre-installed drive assembly 24 (FIG. 2) so thatthe window assembly can be quickly and easily installed in an assemblyline process.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, window assembly 10 includes a pair offixed, spaced apart window panes 12 and 14 and a polymeric member 16,which contacts and spaces fixed panes 12 and 14 to define an openingtherebetween. In preferred form, polymeric member 16 is secured to fixedpanes 12 and 14 and, more preferably, encapsulated, such as by molding,on at least portions of the perimeters of fixed panes 12 and 14.Preferably, polymeric member 16 forms a gasket.

[0047] Panes 12 and 14 are preferably tempered or other strengthened,safety glass panels and may include a layer of black or opaque, ceramicfrit layer 17 on the same surface as the gasket and fasteners that areembedded in the gasket in order to obscure the view of the remotefasteners and gasket when viewed from the opposite side of the assembly.If a layer of frit is applied to the glass panel, frit layer 17 istypically applied to a rear surface of the glass panel during the glasspanel forming process, and forms the opaque or black, ceramic layer. Thepreferred ceramic paint is manufactured by Drakenfeld Color, Inc. ofWashington, Pa. The paint includes small ceramic particles and suitablemetal oxide pigment suspended in oil of a type conventionally known inthe art applied to the glass surface and fired to fuse the paint to theglass. Polymeric member 16 comprises a polymeric material, such aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic urethane,reaction injection molded urethane, or the like, and is preferablyattached, such as by molding, onto the fixed window panes with one ormore fasteners (not shown) embedded in the gasket to mount the windowassembly to a vehicle.

[0048] Positioned over the opening 18 defined between fixed window panes12 and 14 is at least one sliding pane and, more preferably, a pair ofsliding window panes 20 and 22 which are movable in a horizontaldirection between a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and one ormore open positions (shown in FIG. 1A) and, further, are preferablyaligned in a common plane offset from fixed window panes 12 and 14. Asused herein, the term “horizontal” refers to an orientation when thewindow assembly is mounted in the vehicle and means transverse to thelongitudinal centerline of the vehicle. It should be understood,however, that this invention may also be used in a vertical arrangement,with “vertical” referring to the direction upward or downward from thelongitudinal centerline of the vehicle. Window panes 20, 22 aresimilarly preferably strengthened, safety glass panels. As will be morefully described below, sliding window panes 20 and 22 are moved betweentheir respective open and closed positions by drive assembly 24 whichpositively retains the position of the respective sliding window panes20, 22 so that the window panes 20, 22 may not be opened unless thedrive assembly is actuated to prevent unauthorized access into thevehicle. Furthermore, sliding panes 20 and 22 are supported in a mannersuch that panes 20 and 22 move between their closed and open positionswith minimal friction to create a smooth sliding action, which minimizesthe power requirements of drive assembly 24 and hence the weight andcost of the assembly.

[0049] In preferred form, polymeric member 16 forms a three-sidedperimeter gasket with upper and lower portions 16 a and 16 b, which aremolded on the upper and lower perimeter edges of fixed window panes 12and 14. Polymeric member 16 spans between fixed window panes 12 and 14and includes side portions 16 c and 16 d, which are molded on therespective side perimeter edges of panes 12 and 14, to form with fixedpanes 12 and 14, and with sliding panes 20, 22, a self-supportingmodular unit that can be easily handled during shipping andinstallation. In addition, polymeric member 16 preferably includesintermediate portions 16 e and 16 f which are encapsulated on the inneredges of the respective fixed window panes to form part of the sealsystem that seals opening 18, as will be described in greater detailbelow.

[0050] Provided in polymeric member 16 is at least one guide tack and,more preferably, a pair of upper and lower guide tracks 26 and 28 (FIG.2). In preferred form, tracks 26 and 28 are molded in polymeric member16. As best understood from FIGS. 2 and 4, tracks 26 and 28 are providedin polymeric member 16 behind fixed panes 12 and 14 in upper and lowerportions 16 a and 16 b of polymeric member 16. Each track 26, 28comprises an elongate channel-shaped member and, preferably, a metalmember, such as extruded aluminum member, with a first channel-shapedportion 26 a, 28 a and a second channel-shaped portion 26 b, 28 b,respectively. In order to ease assembly of sliding window panes 20, 22in tracks 26, 28, upper track 26 preferably includes a removable flangeportion 26 c (FIG. 2) which is secured by fasteners so that panes 20 and22 can be properly aligned in between tracks 26 and 28 with minimalvertical play.

[0051] Positioned in one or more tracks 26, 28 is a seal 30 which sealspanes 20 and 22 in the respective track 26, 28. Seal 30 is preferablyformed from an EPDM rubber or SANTAPRENE or the like. Preferably, eachtrack 26, 28 includes a seal, with the seal optionally provided by aunitary H-shaped seal 32 (FIG. 4A) which includes upper and lower sealsections or portions 32 a and 32 b and a pair of interconnecting sealsections 32 c and 32 d. Upper seal section 32 a is positioned in upperrail 26 for sealing the upper edges 20 a and 22 a of sliding panes 20and 22, respectively. Lower seal section 32 b is positioned in lowerguide track 28 for sealing against lower edges 20 b and 22 b of slidingpanes 20 and 22, respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, lowerseal section 32 b includes a generally channel-shaped body 52 whichgenerally follows the contour of upper or first channel-shaped portion28 a of lower track 28. In addition, between interconnecting sealsections 32 c and 32 d, lower seal section 32 b includes an inwardly,downwardly extending or folded lip 52 a, which seals against an innersurface of the respective sliding window pane 20, 22, and an inwardlyand upwardly extending lip 52 b, which seals against an outer surface ofthe respective sliding window pane 20, 22. As best seen in FIG. 4C, theends of seal portion 32 b which extend beyond interconnecting sealportions 32 c and 32 d may omit the upwardly extending lip portion (52b).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 4D, upper seal section 32 a includes adownwardly facing channel-shaped body 53 with an upwardly and inwardlyextending or folded lip 53 a, which seals against the inner surface ofthe respective sliding window pane 20, 22, and an inwardly anddownwardly extending lip 53 b, which seals against the outer surface ofthe respective sliding window pane 20, 22. The channel-shapedcross-section of body 53 generally follows the contour of lower or firstchannel-shaped section 26 a of upper track 26. In addition, upper sealsection 32 a includes an upwardly extending retaining flange 53 c whichincludes a plurality of flexible ribs 53 d that compress to frictionallyengage second channel-shaped section 26 b to hold seal section 32 a inupper track 26. As best seen in FIG. 4E, the end portions of upper sealsection 32 a that extend beyond interconnecting seal sections 32 c and32 d may similarly omit the inwardly and downwardly extending lip (53b).

[0053] Preferably, interconnecting seal sections 32 c and 32 d arealigned with gasket intermediate portions 16 e and 16 f and aresandwiched between sliding panels 20 and 22 and rear surface 16 e′ and16 f′ of interconnecting gasket portions 16 e and 16 f, respectively.Seal portions 32 c each includes a generally V-shaped cross-section witha base 33 a and a pair of angled flanges 33 b, 33 c that seal againstthe outer surfaces of window panels 20, 22 and which together with lips53 b and 52 b form a perimeter seal around opening 18. In this manner,when sliding window panes 20 and 22 move between their open and closedpositions, seal sections 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d and seals 34 and 36essentially completely seal opening 18. In preferred form, lower section32 b of seal 32 includes a plurality of apertures 52 c (FIG. 4C) whichextend through web portion 52 d of channel-shaped body 52 to permitdrainage of water, which may collect between sliding window panes 20, 22and lower section 32 b of seal 32. In addition, support track 28preferably includes a plurality of openings 28 d in channel portion 28 bto permit drainage of the water from the track (FIG. 4).

[0054] In addition, mounted to inner edges 20 c and 22 c of slidingpanels 20 and 22, respectively, are seals 34 and 36 (FIG. 3A), whichcomplete the seal of opening 18 when sliding panels 20 and 22 are movedto their closed position. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, seal 34comprises an elongated member with a groove 34 a for receiving edge ofpanel 20 and a projecting rib 34 b. Seal 36 similarly comprises anelongated member with a groove 36 a for receiving edge 22 c of panel 22and a second recessed portion or groove 36 b for receiving projectingrib 34 b of seal 34. Preferably, seals 34 and 36 are extruded aluminumelongated members. Positioned in groove 36 b is an elastomeric member 36c, which is secured in groove 36 b, for example by an adhesive or thelike. Thus, when panels 20, 22 are moved to their closed position, rib34 b extends into groove 36 b and compresses against elastomeric member36 c to seal opening 18.

[0055] Seal 30 may be formed from a co-extrusion where, for example,retaining flange 53 c and/or base 33 a are formed from a plastic, suchas a polypropylene or the like, and with lips 52 a, 52 b, 53 a, 53 b,and/or flanges 33 b and 33 c formed from a more flexible material, suchas EPDM rubber or SANTAPRENE or the like. In this manner, the seal orseal portions form a snap fit connection with their respective parts. Inaddition, optionally, the seal or seal portions may be slip coated inorder to reduce friction between the sliding panes and the seal or sealportions.

[0056] In order to provide a smooth sliding action for sliding windowpanes 20 and 22, panes 20 and 22 are preferably supported or suspendedabove an upwardly facing surface or bottom surface 28 c of track 28(FIG. 4) and, more preferably, between upper and lower guide tracks 26and 28 so that panes 20, 22 are spaced below a downwardly facing surfaceor upper surface of track 28 and above bottom surface 28 c to reduce thefriction between the respective sliding panes 20, 22 and tracks 26 and28. In this manner, tracks 26 and 28 preferably merely provide a guidefor panes 20, 22. As best understood from FIGS. 3 and 5, panes 20, 22include carriers 38 a, 38 b mounted to a lower portion of pane 20, 22.Carriers 38 a and 38 b are supported by a support rail 40 (FIG. 4) whichsupports panes 20 and 22 between tracks 26 and 28 to thereby reduce thefriction between panes 20 and 22 and seal portions 32 a and 32 b andtracks 26 and 28. In this manner, the weight of sliding panes 20 and 22is not borne by lower track 28 and, instead, is borne by support rail40. In preferred form, carriers 38 a and 38 b are mounted to the rearsurfaces of sliding panes 20, 22 by an adhesive, such as epoxy, acrylic,acrylate, urethane, or silicone. Alternately, or in addition, carriers38 a and 38 b may be secured by panes 20, 22 by fasteners which extendthrough holes drilled through panes 20, 22. In addition, carrier members38 preferably comprise a plastic material, such as a polyolefin and,more preferably, a reinforced polyolefin, such as glass filled nylon.Alternately, carriers 38 a and 38 b may comprise metal carriers, such asstamped metal carriers, including steel, with an optional coating toreduce friction, such as E-coating.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, support rail 40 is preferably mountedto polymeric member 16 by fasteners 54 which engage support mounts 56,which are molded in polymeric member 16 and, more preferably, molded inlower portion 16 b of polymeric member 16. In the illustratedembodiment, support mounts 56 are recessed or fully encapsulated withinlower portion 16 b of polymeric member 16 and may be formed from plasticor a metal material, such as steel or brass. As best seen in FIG. 9,each mount 56 includes a base 60 and a projecting boss 62 which includesa passage 58, preferably a threaded passage, formed therein forreceiving fasteners 54. Fasteners 54 may be screws, includingself-threading screws, or plastic fasteners, in the case where supportmounts 56 comprise plastic mounts. In the illustrated embodiment, boss62 has a generally cross-shaped cross section which provides increasedsurface area between polymeric member 16 and boss 62 to provideincreased retention of support mount 56 in polymeric member 16 andincreased resistance to torsional forces which are applied whenfasteners 54 are threaded into opening 58. Optionally, base 60 mayinclude a plurality of openings 64 to permit the polymeric material toflow through the base and, preferably, behind base 60 and onto the rearsurfaces of fixed panes 12 and 14. In this manner, the retention ofsupport mount 56 relies on the bonding between the polymeric member andthe fixed glass panes. Optionally, base 60 may include a plurality ofprojections 60 b, which offset base 60 from the glass pane to permitenhanced flow of the polymeric material behind base 60. Alternatively,an adhesive may be applied to rear surface 60 a of base 60 so thatsupport mount 56 is directly adhered to the glass pane with polymericmember 16 providing enhanced retention of mount 56 on the respectivepane.

[0058] As best seen in FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6-7, each carrier 38 a and 38 bcomprises an elongate member with a first flange portion 42, which formsa mounting flange for mounting carrier 38 a and 38 b onto a respectivesliding pane 20 or 22. As noted previously, carriers 38 are preferably aplastic material, such as a polyolefin and, more preferably, areinforced polyolefin, such as glass filled nylon. Preferably, flangeportion 42 includes a recessed surface 42 a for receiving adhesive tomount carriers 38 a, 38 b onto sliding panes 20, 22. Extendingrearwardly and downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 4) from flange portion 42is a support flange 44 which includes at opposed ends engagement members46 for coupling to the drive system, as will be more fully describedbelow, and which is supported between upper and lower flanges 50 and 52of support rail. Again referring to FIG. 5, support flange 44 preferablyincludes a webbed portion 54 to reduce the weight of carrier 38 a, 38 bwhile providing sufficient stiffness to support and guide panels 20 and22 along support rail 40. In the illustrated embodiment, engagementmembers 46 include cylindrical walls 46 a with slotted recesses 46 b.Cylindrical walls 46 a are sized to receive and engage cable couplers,with recesses 46 b sized to permit the cable secured to the cablecoupler to extend through cylindrical wall but to retain the cablecoupler in the cylindrical wall. Further details of suitable cable andcable couplers will be described in reference to drive assembly 24.Formed on engagement members 46 are a plurality of ribs 48 which providebearing surfaces for carrier 38 a and 38 b and which guide carriers 38 aand 38 b along support rail 40.

[0059] As best seen in FIG. 4, ribs 48 support carriers 38 a, 38 bbetween upper and lower flanges 50 and 52 of support rail 40 whereby theweight of the sliding pane 20, 22 is distributed by carrier 38 a and 38b to rail 40 while permitting panels 20, 22 to slide along support rail40 under the power of drive assembly 24. In order to provide lateralrestraint to sliding window panes 20 and 22 in support rail 40, supportrail 40 preferably includes a stop, such as an upwardly extending lip 50a on lower flange 50 (FIGS. 4 and 9). Lip 50 a limits lateral movementof support flange 44 across rail 40. In addition to providing verticalsupport to the respective sliding pane, therefore, support rail 40provides lateral restraint of the sliding window panes, which enhancesthe retention of the pane in assembly 10 and reduces the risk ofunauthorized access through opening 18 into the cab of the vehicle. Aswill be more fully described in reference to drive assembly 24, slidingpanes 20, 22 are positively held in their positions along upper andlower tracks 26 and 28 by back drive retention to provide an anti-theftsystem.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 11, drive assembly 24 includes a cable system82 which couples to a motor and cable drum assembly 80 and carriers 38 aand 38 b of sliding window panes 20 and 22, respectively. Cable system82 includes at least one cable section, more preferably, a plurality orcable sections, and, most preferably, three cable sections 82 a, 82 b,and 82 c. First cable section 82 a is coupled on one end to a cable drum80 a of motor and cable drum assembly 80 and preferably extends fromcable drum 80 a through a non-rigid cable conduit 84 to couple at itsother end to carrier 38 b of sliding window pane 22 by a cable coupler85 which engages cable mount 46 of carrier 38 b. Cable couplers 85comprise cylindrical or spherical bodies (FIG. 5), such as plastic ormetal bodies, that are fixed, such as by welding, adhesive, or byfasteners, to the end of the respective cable sections. The cylindricalor spherical bodies of the cable couplers are sized to insert into thecable mount with minimal play and, more preferably, with a friction fitbetween the coupler and the cable mount so that the cable system 82 canmaintain the position of the respective sliding window panes withminimal play. Since carriers 38 a and 38 b are preferably mounted to therespective sliding window panes 20, 22 generally at the same elevation,first cable section 82 a preferably extends over carrier 38 a of slidingwindow pane 20 to minimize the cable deflections. Optionally, carrier 38may be formed with an elongate groove or recess 38 c (shown in phantom)formed therein, for example by cutting along the phantom line designated38 c′ (FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6) in order to provide a cable guide along theouter surface of carrier 38. In this manner, cable section 82 a canextend linearly through rail 40 thus maintaining the cable in tensiononly and minimize any bending stress on the cable (see FIG. 4).

[0061] Second cable section 82 b is coupled to guide 38 a of slidingwindow pane 22 by a cable coupler 85 which engages cable mount 46 on oneend and extends around a cable guide 88, which is mounted to supportrail 40, to couple to guide 38 b on sliding window panel 20. Preferably,second cable section 82 b similarly extends over cable guide 38 a ofwindow pane 20. Cable guide 38 a optionally includes an elongate recessor groove 38 d, similarly formed such as by cutting along phantom lines38 d′ (FIGS. 5, 5A, and 7), in order to form a cable guide so that cablesections 82 a, 82 b, 82 c can be maintained in their linearconfiguration.

[0062] Third cable section 82 c is coupled on one end by a coupler 85 toa cable mount 46 of guide 38 b and coupled to cable drum 80 a at itssecond end. Preferably, cable section 82 c extends to cable drum 80 athrough a flexible cable conduit 90 similar to first cable section 82 a.As can be appreciated from FIG. 11, cable system 82 enters and exitsfrom one end of support rail 40 which minimizes the number of cableguides and, therefore, the weight of the assembly. In addition, motorand cable drum assembly 80 may be located essentially anywhere in thevehicle.

[0063] In operation, when motor and cable drum assembly 80 is energizedto pull on first cable section 82 a, sliding window pane 22 moves to itsclosed position, which in turn pulls on cable section 82 b. Cablesection 82 b then pulls on sliding window pane 20 causing it to move toits closed position. On the other hand, when motor and cable drumassembly 80 pulls on cable section 82 c, window pane 20 is moved to itsopen position, causing cable section 82 b to pull on sliding window pane22 to move to its open position. In order to keep first and third cablesections 82 a and 82 c separated as they enter and exit rail 40, supportrail 40 preferably includes a second cable guide 92 and, furthermore,preferably includes a cable conduit terminal 94 (FIG. 11) in which bothcable conduits 84 and 90 terminate. In this manner, at least a portionthe cable system of drive assembly 24 can be incorporated into windowassembly 10 either during the assembly process or during a post assemblyprocess, such as at a dealership.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 10, a second embodiment of a support mount 56′is illustrated. In this embodiment, support mount 56′ is only partiallymolded in polymeric member 16′ and projects outwardly from polymericmember 16′. As best seen in FIG. 10, support mount 56′ includes a base60′ and a projecting boss 62′ which projects outwardly from polymericmember 16′. Base 60′ is spaced from fixed window pane 12′ by a rearwardprojection 64′ and is fully molded or encapsulated in polymeric member16′. Boss 62′ includes a threaded passage 58′ for receiving a fastener54′ similar to the previous embodiment. Though illustrated with supportrail 40′ bearing on polymeric member 16′, it can be appreciated byproviding a projecting boss 62′, that support rail 40′ may be spacedfrom polymeric member 16′ with the weight of support rail 40′ and theenclosed driver assembly (not shown) distributed to support mount 56′through mounting boss 62′.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a second embodiment 110 of thewindow assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Window assembly110 is of similar construction to assembly 10 and includes a pair offixed spaced apart window panes 112 and 114, which define an opening 118therebetween, and a pair of sliding window panes 120 and 122 which openand close opening 118. A polymeric member 116 is molded on perimeterportions of fixed window panes 112 and 114 and forms a perimeter gasketaround perimeter portions of fixed window panes 112 and 114 and,further, includes support mounts 156 molded therein for supportingsupport rail 140. Provided, such as by molding, in polymeric member 116are upper and lower guide tracks 126 and 128, similar to the previousembodiment, which guide sliding window panes 120, 122 between open andclosed positions. Reference is made to the first embodiment for furtherdetails of tracks 126 and 128, seals, and the like.

[0066] Sliding window panes 120 and 122 are slidably positioned intracks 126 and 128 and are driven between a closed position such asillustrated in FIG. 1 and one or more open positions such as illustratedin FIG. 1A similar to the previous embodiment by a drive assembly 124.Drive assembly 124 is mounted to support rail 140 so that windowassembly 110 provides a fully pre-assembled modular window assembly.Referring to FIG. 13, drive assembly 124 includes a cable system 182which couples to a motor and cable drum assembly 180. In the illustratedembodiment, motor and cable drum assembly 180 is mounted to support rail140 by a mounting plate 184. Cable system 182 enters support rail 140through a side portion and, preferably, through a medial side portion ofrail 140. In order to guide the cable system, support rail 140 includesfour cable guides 188, 192, 194, and 196. Cable system 182 includes afirst cable section 182 a which is coupled on one end to cable drum 180a and coupled at its other end to guide 138 a of sliding window panel120. Cable assembly 182 includes a second cable section 182 b which iscoupled on one end to an opposed end of carrier 138 a and extends overcarrier 138 b and around a cable guide 192 to couple at its other end toguide 138 b which is mounted to sliding window panel 122. A third cablesection 182 c is coupled on one end to the opposed end of guide 138 band extends around cable guide 196 and exits rail 140 to couple to cabledrum 180 a on its opposed end. In this manner, when cable drum 180 apulls on section 182 a, sliding window pane 120 moves to its openposition causing cable section 182 b to pull sliding window pane 122 tomove it to its open position. On the other hand, when cable drum 180 apulls on third cable section 182 c, third section 182 c pulls on slidingwindow pane 122 to move it to its closed position, which in turn causessecond cable section 182 b to pull on sliding window pane 120 to move itto its closed position.

[0067] While several forms of the invention have been shown anddescribed, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.For example, carriers 38 may comprise solid elongate members or may haveelongate transverse passages formed therein to provide cable guides sothat the cables can be maintained in a linear path. The shape of supportmounts 56 may be varied to achieve the same or similar function.Furthermore, the number of support mounts may be increased or decreased.In addition, the window assembly may include a single fixed window paneand/or a single sliding window pane and, further, may comprise amanually operated window assembly.

[0068] Therefore, it will be understood that the various embodimentsshown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrativepurposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention whichis defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under theprinciples of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A vehicular sliding window assembly comprising: first andsecond fixed window panes having perimeter portions and being spacedapart to define an opening therebetween; at least one guide track; atleast one sliding window pane positioned in said guide track andpositionable between a closed position and a plurality of openpositions, said guide track guiding said sliding window pane, and saidsliding window pane closing said opening when in said closed position;and a support rail supporting said sliding window pane whereby theweight of said sliding window pane is borne by said support rail and notby said guide track.
 2. The vehicular sliding window assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said sliding window pane includes a carrier, saidsupport rail supporting said carrier to thereby support said slidingwindow pane.
 3. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim2, wherein said carrier is attached to said sliding window pane by oneof an adhesive and a mechanical fastener.
 4. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 2, wherein said support railcomprises a channel-shaped support rail having spaced flanges, saidcarrier supported between said spaced flanges.
 5. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 2, wherein said carrier comprises oneof a plastic carrier and a metal carrier.
 6. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a polymericmember, said first and second fixed window panes contacting saidpolymeric member and being spaced apart by said polymeric member.
 7. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 6, wherein saidpolymeric member includes at least one support mount included therein,said support rail being supported by said support mount.
 8. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 7, wherein saidsupport rail is mounted to said support mount.
 9. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 8, wherein said support rail rests onsaid support mount.
 10. The vehicular sliding window assembly accordingto claim 7, wherein said support mount projects from said polymericmember.
 11. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 7,wherein said support mount is recessed in said polymeric member.
 12. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising a cable system, said cable system drivingly coupled to saidsliding window pane.
 13. The vehicular sliding window assembly accordingto claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said cable system issupported in said support rail.
 14. The vehicular sliding windowassembly according to claim 6, wherein said polymeric member forms agasket.
 15. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 6,wherein said polymeric member is encapsulated onto said first and secondfixed window panes.
 16. The vehicular sliding window assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said sliding window pane comprises a first slidingwindow pane, said window assembly further comprising a second slidingwindow pane positioned in said guide track, said first and secondsliding window panes moving toward each other to close said opening andaway from each other to open said opening.
 17. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a sealpositioned in said guide track, said seal sealing said sliding windowpane in said guide track.
 18. A vehicular sliding window assemblycomprising: first and second spaced apart fixed window panes, said firstand second fixed window panes defining an opening therebetween; upperand lower guide tracks; first and second sliding window panes positionedin said upper and lower tracks and positionable between a closedposition wherein said first and second sliding window panes are in anabutting relationship thereby closing said opening and a plurality ofopen positions wherein said sliding window panes are spaced apart; adrive assembly drivingly coupled to said sliding window panes andselectively moving said sliding panes along said upper and lower guidetracks between said open and closed positions; and a support railsupporting at least a portion of said drive assembly.
 19. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said lower guidetrack includes an upwardly facing surface facing said first and secondsliding window panes, said support rail supporting said first and secondsliding window panes above said upwardly facing surface of said lowerguide track whereby the weight of said sliding window panes is borne bysaid support rail and not said lower guide track to reduce the frictionbetween said lower guide track and said sliding window panes to providea smooth sliding action when said sliding window panes are moved alongsaid lower guide track.
 20. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 19, wherein said upper guide track has a downwardlyfacing surface facing said first and second sliding window panes, saidsupport rail supports said first and second sliding window panes belowsaid downwardly facing surface of said upper guide track to reduce thefriction between said sliding window panes and said upper and lowerguide tracks.
 21. The vehicular sliding window assembly according toclaim 18, further comprising at least one seal positioned in at leastone of said upper and lower guide tracks and sealing said sliding windowpanes in said at least one of said upper and lower guide tracks.
 22. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 18, wherein each ofsaid sliding window panes includes a carrier, said support railsupporting said carriers to thereby support said sliding window panes.23. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 22, whereinsaid carriers are attached to said sliding window panes by at least oneof an adhesive and a mechanical fastener.
 24. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 22, wherein said support railcomprises a channel-shaped support rail having spaced flanges, saidcarriers supported between said spaced flanges.
 25. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 22, wherein each of saidcarriers comprise one of a plastic carrier and a metal carrier.
 26. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 18, furthercomprising a polymeric member contacting at least a portion of theperimeters of said first and second fixed window panes.
 27. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 18, wherein saidsupport rail is mounted to said polymeric member.
 28. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 18, further comprising asupport mount included in said polymeric member, said support railmounted to said support mount.
 29. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 28, wherein said support rail rests on said supportmount.
 30. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 29,wherein said support mount is molded in said polymeric member.
 31. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 28, wherein saidsupport mount projects from said polymeric member.
 32. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 28, wherein said supportmount is recessed in said polymeric member.
 33. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 18, wherein said drive assemblyincludes a cable system, said cable system drivingly coupled to saidsliding window panes.
 34. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 33, wherein at least a portion of said cable systemis supported in said support rail.
 35. The vehicular sliding windowassembly according to claim 33, wherein said cable system includes atleast one cable section coupled to said first and second sliding windowpanes.
 36. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 35,wherein said cable system includes a plurality of cable sections. 37.The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 36, whereinsaid cable system includes at least one cable guide and at least threecable sections, a first cable section of said three cable sections beingadapted to drivingly couple to a motor and cable drum assembly and beingdrivingly coupled to said second sliding window pane, a second cablesection of said three cable sections being drivingly coupled to saidsecond sliding window pane and extending around said cable guide todrivingly couple to said first sliding window pane, a third cablesection of said three cable sections being adapted to drivingly coupleto the motor and cable drum assembly and being drivingly coupled to saidfirst sliding window pane such that when said first cable section ispulled by the motor and cable drum assembly, said first cable sectionpulls said second sliding window pane to said closed position and saidsecond cable section pulls said first sliding window pane to said closedposition and when the motor and cable drum assembly pulls said thirdcable section, said third cable section pulls said first sliding windowpane to said open position and said second cable section pulls saidsecond sliding window pane to said open position.
 38. A vehicularsliding window assembly comprising: first and second spaced apart fixedwindow panes; a polymeric member contacting said first and second fixedwindow panes and spacing said first and second spaced apart fixed windowpanes to define an opening therebetween; upper and lower guide tracksincluded in said polymeric member; first and second sliding window panesslidably positioned in said upper and lower tracks and positionablebetween a closed position wherein said first and second sliding windowpanes are in an abutting relationship thereby closing said opening and aplurality of open positions wherein said first and second sliding windowpanes are spaced apart; and a support rail supported by said polymericmember, said support rail supporting said first and second slidingwindow panes.
 39. The vehicular sliding window assembly according toclaim 38, wherein said polymeric member includes at least one supportmount, said support rail supported by said support mount.
 40. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 38, furthercomprising a drive assembly coupled to said first and second slidingwindow panes, said drive assembly selectively moving said sliding windowpanes with respect to said support rail and upper and lower guide tracksbetween at least said closed position and said open positions.
 41. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 40, wherein atleast part of said drive assembly is supported by said support rail. 42.The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 41, whereinsaid drive assembly includes a cable system.
 43. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 42, wherein at least a portion ofsaid cable system is supported in said support rail.
 44. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 43, wherein said cable systemincludes at least one cable section coupled to said first and secondsliding window panes.
 45. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 44, wherein said cable system includes a plurality ofcable sections.
 46. The vehicular sliding window assembly according toclaim 45, wherein at least one of said cable sections is supported insaid support rail.
 47. The vehicular sliding window assembly accordingto claim 45, wherein said cable system includes at least one cable guideand at least three cable sections, a first cable section of said threecable sections for drivingly coupling at one end to a motor and cabledrum assembly and being driving coupled to said second sliding windowpane at the other end of said first cable section, a second cablesection of said three cable sections being drivingly coupled to saidsecond sliding window pane at one end of said second cable section andextending around said cable guide to drivingly couple to said firstsliding window pane at the other end of said second cable section, athird cable section of said three cable sections for drivingly couplingto the motor and cable drum assembly at one end and being drivinglycoupled to said first sliding window pane at the other end of said thirdcable section such that when the motor and cable drum assembly pullssaid first cable section, said first cable section pulls said secondsliding window pane to said closed position and said second cablesection pulls said first sliding window pane to said closed position andwhen the motor and cable drum assembly pulls said third cable section,said third cable section pulls said first sliding window pane to one ofsaid open positions and said second cable section pulls said secondsliding window pane to one of said open positions.
 48. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 47, wherein each of saidsliding window panes includes a carrier, said support rail supportingsaid carriers and thereby supporting said sliding window panes.
 49. Thevehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 48, wherein saidupper guide track includes a downwardly facing surface facing said firstand second sliding window panes, said lower guide track having anupwardly facing surface facing said first and second sliding windowpanes, said support rail supporting said sliding window panes betweensaid lower and upper tracks wherein said sliding window panes are spacedabove said upwardly facing surface of said lower track and spaced belowsaid downwardly facing surface of said upper track whereby the weight ofsaid first and second sliding window panes is borne by said support railand not borne by said guide tracks to reduce the friction between saidsliding window panes and said guide tracks and thereby reduce the powerrequirements of the motor and cable drum assembly.
 50. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 48, wherein said support railcomprises a channel shaped rail having spaced flanges, said carriersbeing supported between said spaced flanges.
 51. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 48, wherein said first cable sectionis coupled to one end of said carrier of said second sliding window paneto thereby couple to said second sliding window pane.
 52. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 51, wherein said second cablesection is coupled to the other end of said carrier of said secondsliding window and to one end of said carrier of said first slidingwindow pane to thereby couple to said second and first sliding windowpanes.
 53. The vehicular sliding window assembly according to claim 52,wherein said third cable section is coupled to the other end of saidcarrier of said first sliding window pane to thereby couple to saidfirst sliding window pane.
 54. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 53, wherein said first cable section extends over aportion of said carrier of first sliding window pane and said secondcable section extends over a portion of said carrier of said secondsliding window pane to maintain a linear orientation of said first andsecond cable sections.
 55. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 38, wherein each of said sliding window panesincludes a carrier, said support rail supporting said carriers tothereby support said sliding window panes.
 56. The vehicular slidingwindow assembly according to claim 55, wherein said carriers areattached to said sliding window panes by an adhesive.
 57. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 55, wherein said support railcomprises a channel-shaped support rail having spaced flanges, saidcarriers supported between said spaced flanges.
 58. The vehicularsliding window assembly according to claim 55, wherein said carrierscomprise plastic carriers.
 59. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 55, wherein each of said carriers includes anelongate body having a mounting flange mounted to a respective slidingwindow pane and a support flange offset from said mounting flange, saidsupport rail supporting said support flange to thereby support saidsliding window panes.
 60. The vehicular sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 59, wherein said support rail includes a retaininglip, said retaining lip laterally retaining said support flange in saidsupport rail.
 61. The vehicular sliding window assembly according toclaim 38, further comprising at least one seal positioned in at leastone of said upper and lower guide tracks, said seal sealing first andsecond sliding window panes in said at least one of said upper and lowerguide tracks.
 62. The vehicular sliding window assembly according toclaim 61, further comprising a second seal positioned in the other ofsaid upper and lower guide tracks.
 63. The vehicular sliding windowassembly according to claim 62, wherein said seals comprise a unitaryseal having an upper portion positioned in said upper guide track and alower portion positioned in said lower guide track and intermediate sealportions positioned between said sliding window panes and said fixedwindow panes thereby providing a perimeter seal around said opening.